Celebrate & experiencediverse traditions of Percussive Dance

3 Days with 5 Acclaimed International Artists Tap to Flatfooting ... Clogging to Body Rhythms ... and so much more!

Rocky Mountain Percussive Dance Festival is an opportunity to study with some of the most talented and world-renown guest artists — Max Pollak, Roxane Butterfly, Tamangoh Van Cayseele Stanislas, Ira Bernstein and Nic Gareiss — each imparting a wealth of expertise and artistic skills to festival attendees.

Dancers from around the globe come together in the great Rocky Mountains of Colorado for an amazing weekend of rhythm, movement and magic. Enjoy a wide range of offerings and experiences — technique, repertoire, electives, exploration of Master's material, rhythmic explorations, performance opportunities, communal gatherings and everyone's favorite... jams!

A Whirl Wind Journey into the Soul of Sounds

Registration, accommodation and host information here.

A Whirl Wind Journey into the Soul of Sounds

Registration, accommodation and host information here.

Studying at this festival was so fun, educational, and rejuvenating! As a dance educator it is hard to find professional development opportunities that truly challenge and inform; RMPDF had the faculty and format to do that, and more. I loved it!

— Michelle Bernier, Dance Educator

SCHEDULE

PARTICIPANT SHOWCASE

TRAVEL & STAY

Choose Your Experience

3-day Pass

Tuition: $315 plus $35 non-refundable registration fee

Early bird: $20 off tuition if purchased before June 15

Saturday or Sunday Only

Tuition: $150 plus $35 non-refundable registration fee

Early bird: $10 off tuition if purchased before June 15

Refund Policy

We'll refund the amount paid minus the Registration of $35, if cancellation occurs 30 days or more prior to festival. If less than 30 days, no refunds.

Hosted by

Peak Academy of Dance hosts the festival events onsite, offering two interior studios and an outdoor percussive classroom. Lectures, panel discussions and the participant showcase will be held in our (small and cozy) 64-seat Gray Duchess performance venue.

details & where to stay

In the spirit of community, and in order to provide you with the most hospitality, we invite you to check out Host a Dancer. This program matches dancers with local host families to spend a fabulous 3-4 nights. Not your style... look into one of the local Hotels, B&B’s or Airbnb's.

Faculty

ira BerNstein

photo by Tom Caravaglia

Since first experiencing southern Appalachian clogging and flatfooting at an old-time, community style square dance in Philadelphia in 1978, Ira has travelled to 40 US states and 21 countries in pursuit of all things related to Percussive Step Dance. He is an active advocate for this wonderful, eclectic collective of musical movement. MORE...

MAX POLLAK

photo by Aleutian Calabey

Critics and peers worldwide acknowledge his superior musicianship and his highly individual style called “RumbaTap” - a pioneering blend of Afro-Cuban song and dance with American tap and body music. MORE...

ROXANE Butterfly

Sought after for her exceptional improvisational skills, tap dance artist Roxane Butterfly has been a leading figure on the world tap stage for the last two decades (both in america and Europe). Very first woman to win a Bessie Award (1998) in the history of tap... MORE...

TamangoH Van cayseele Stanislas

Nic Gareiss

is a dancer, musician and painter. His innovative approach to tap dancing transforms dance into music with an astounding fluidity and a keen sense of the moment. Recognized as one of the major figures in dance across the Atlantic, Tamangoh has performed internationally on the most prestigious stages. MORE...

Michigan-born dancer, Gareiss has been described by the Irish Times as “the human epitome of the unbearable lightness of being,” and "the most inventive and expressive step dancer on the scene” by the Boston Herald. MORE...